Dress code, queueing and Pimm's - How to have a perfect day at Wimbledon

Daily Mirror

7 hours ago

A day at Wimbledon is one of the most magical experiences you can have in sport - but there's a way to get the most from it
Walking through the gates of the All England Lawn Tennis Club to spend a day at Wimbledon is one of the most magical experiences you can have in sport.
Unlike most prestigious sporting events, you don't even need to have a ticket sorted months in advance to be able to attend. That is because the perfect day at tennis's oldest tournament begins very early and just a few metres from Centre Court.
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Here's how to get the best out of your trip to SW19.
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The Queue
The Queue is a rite of passage for any tennis fan. Starting in Wimbledon Park the Sunday before the Championships begins, The Queue is the only way to get a ticket if you miss out on the ballot with over 10,000 people queueing on some days.
The hardy souls who are desperate for a seat on one of the show courts often camp overnight to get one of the 1,500 tickets available for those arenas.
But most people join the queue at around 5am on the day they want to attend to snap up a grounds pass. Once your ticket is secured, the Championships are your oyster.
Best courts
If you don't have a ticket for the show courts – Centre Court, No.1 Court or No.2 Court – there are 15 others open to you.
Courts No.3, 12 and 18 are the only other courts with grandstand seating, and while you may have to queue a little while longer, they are your best chance of seeing big names up close.
Court 12's grandstand will also give you a vantage point across several of the other smaller courts, so don't forget your binoculars! But, if you are looking for Court 13, you won't find it, with the unlucky number removed as a court in 2009.
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Places to visit
A trip to Wimbledon is not complete without perching on the sloped surface behind No.1 Court.
To some it is Henman Hill, to others Murray Mound, but to everyone it is a chance to watch action from Centre Court and No.1 Court on the big screen with a similar atmosphere to what is going on inside the stadium.
If you are having a magical day, you may want a memento, so a visit to one of the shops is required. Whether it is a fridge magnet or the famous towels you are after, there is something for everyone.
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There is no guarantee there won't be rain, so the museum is a perfect place to hide out until the clouds clear and the tennis resumes on the outside courts.
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Eat and drink
Top of the list of things to consume at the Championships has to be strawberries and cream, with almost two million strawberries gobbled up each year.
And if you need something to wash it down, the two official drinks of Wimbledon are champagne and Pimm's, but there are non-alcoholic options too.
There are plenty of eateries if you require something more than fruit with everything from takeaway food to sit-down meals.
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You can also bring your own picnic into the grounds, with one bottle of wine or champagne, two cans of beer permitted alongside food.
What to wear
There is no official dress code for Wimbledon, unless you are in the Royal Box or a player, however, that does not mean people don't dress up.
You'll see many long summer dresses or linen suits on show, but versatility is the best option. The tennis can go on late into the night so you may well see the sun rise and set if you have also been in the queue.
It's best to have layers and it is also handy to have a raincoat or umbrella with you due to the unpredictability of British weather. If the sun is shining, a hat is always useful, but if you forget one, you can always pick one up in the shop.